The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 22, 2005
Filed:
Mar. 28, 2003
Normand Lebreux, Élie d'Orford, CA;
Rénald Plante, Rock-Forest, CA;
Yves Berthiaume, Mont St-Hilaire, CA;
Normand Lebreux, Élie d'Orford, CA;
Rénald Plante, Rock-Forest, CA;
Yves Berthiaume, Mont St-Hilaire, CA;
Bombardier Recreational Products Inc., Valcourt, CA;
Abstract
A hybrid fuel/electric powered watercraft includes an electronic turning machine (ETM), and internal combustion engine, and a propulsion system, which are operatively connected to each other, preferably via one or more clutches. An electronic control unit (ECU) controls the ETM, clutch(es), and engine. At low speeds, the ECU disengages at least one clutch and solely uses the ETM to power the propulsion unit and propel the watercraft. At high speeds, the ECU engages the clutch and uses both the engine and the ETM or just the engine to power the propulsion system. When the watercraft's battery discharges, the ECU operates the ETM in a generator mode and runs the engine to charge the battery. The watercraft can also include a shore button feature that selectively limits/governs the speed of the watercraft. A clutch may be used to avoid driving the propulsion system when the engine is idling or being started.